The visit of local rivals The Village for the 2nd time this week saw the return as captain of Jim Frost for the first time for three years.
A great day for cricket, warm and dry but not hot. The toss duly won the oppo were inserted so that the full might of the Fitmen attack, could take advantage of any remaining moisture in a wicket that looked like there would be runs a plenty.

Opening the bowling Sunny and Raj, the sultans of Singh, bowled steadily and Sunny soon took the first of 3 wickets.

After a steady start the Village Star batsmen who ended with a fabulous 150 was joined at the crease after the fall of a couple more wickets by former Fitman the Don (who scored a good 50) and the tinkering began.

Trying to keep the score respectable captain Frost rotated the bowlers and tinkered with the field. Sharif particularly enjoyed running in from long on to tight on the one and back again each time the batsmen rotated the strike. Who knows whether this worked as the oppo racked up a sizeable 283 but then 4 dropped catches off the bowling of James Tasker, who bowled well without luck, didn’t help.

It is great when a good tinker gets results! Moving himself to slip the skipper took a smart catch of the bowling of DDH (thanks Ralphie) then Gavlaar to gully and two balls later a majestic one handed catch from a booming out-swinger by Sunny.

After a somewhat delayed tea (late start, lost balls and a good tinker) the fitmen openers started the chase. Tom C, a short and sweet 8, was soon back in the hutch to be quickly followed by Ralphie, 14 off 10 balls. Gavlaar however was on fire and supported by Sharif (a steady 18) and Frost 25 he was striking the ball to all parts on the way to a quick fire 89 from 66 balls which was to be the foundation to a thrilling finish.

After two quick wickets Raj 7 and DDH 5 Sunny, 68 from 37, and Tom H, 4 from 18, launched an assault on the village attack of brutal savagery and the game was won with 3 overs to spare.

A great game, great win and all round team effort. Thanks guys

Finally my apologies for taking so long to produce this report. In the last 3 years I have forgotten the first rule of captaincy – get some other bugger to write the report!